Carlton Gregory: Accreditation scheme manager
BRE Accreditation Scheme
Here you can read the Q&A with Carlton Gregory sharing BRE's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) (or Lifelong Learning (LLL) requirements.
CPD Hours
How many hours of CPD does your accreditation scheme require from members?
Home Inspectors are required to carry out 20 hours of CPD and domestic energy assessor 10 hours.
Given that all first year DEAs will have spent considerable time training, qualifying and learning on-the-job, do they still need to complete their full CPD quota this year?
Yes they do. Whilst they have spent considerable time training for their respective Diploma's, CPD will be required within the first 12 months of membership and thereafter each year. The CPD will capture the relevant updates in the industry and good working practices that they will need to keep up to date with, and therefore CPD is the perfect tool to ensure they are keeping up to date with the latest information.
CPD and training courses
Can your members attend courses given by external third-parties, or must they attend your own in-house offerings?
This is an important question and we have had to address this on an individual basis at times. Our members can study with other external third-parties, however, we have to approve whether it's appropriate, and whether the quality and quantity is acceptable. Providing we have approved this, they can be accepted.
CPD course-approval
Do CPD courses need to be pre-approved by your scheme to be recognised?
Yes.
Are there any advertising guidelines that course providers should adhere to and DEAs should look out for to ensure the course is legitimate? For instance: should the advertisement quote something like: "This course is approved by BRE"; "This course awards 3 CPD credits" etc...)?
Again this is very important because external third parties should approach the respective schemes first before claiming their courses are approved.
Is there a cost for submitting course material for review?
There is no set fee but we do reserve the right to charge where it is appropriate to do so.
How long does the review take?
This will depend on the nature of the course material for review, but on average 1-2 weeks.
Do you advise how much CPD credit will be awarded (if you approve the course)?
Yes.
Who should course providers contact to submit their proposed material?
This must be sent to the Accreditation /Certification team, or telephone 0845 863 0014 and speak to a scheme manager.
CPD scope
Are you particularly focused on a particular range of topics DEAs can study, or would you consider periphery subjects like business development, accounting, and internet marketing, for example?
The main focus is always related to EPCs or HCR issues, and whilst other aspects are important, such as mentioned, it is important to always keep up to date with the key aspects of the business of performing HCR and EPC reports, and the wider HIPs requirements.
Open standard
Would you support an open standard amongst accreditation schemes whereby a course acceptable to one, would be acceptable to all?
This possibly may be of benefit, however it would have to be regulated each year.
Final comments
We believe we have worked hard to provide our members with the choice to cover their CPD requiements by distant learning at no cost to them in the comfort of their own office or study, together with the option to attend our refresher training courses for those who prefer a classroom environment (this form of training is provided at a small cost).
We have had to respond to a number of external training providers, some we have had to reject, and others we have approved - this has certainly been challenging at times.
We understand that the life long learning programme is very important in this new industry and it is a very important aspect of improving the standards and engendering confidence in the industry and publicly.
Carlton Gregory
Accreditation Manager
BRE Accreditation Scheme
Tel: 0845 863 0014
Thinking aloud
Weighing up the CPD training maze
